Stage Details

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(245-172) -
July 26, 2012(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits "significant regulatory actions" until the United States unemployment rate is 6 percent or less.

Highlights:

Prohibits an agency from taking any “significant regulatory action” until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 6 percent (Sec. 102).

Defines “significant regulatory action” as any action that is likely to result in a rule or guidance with a fiscal effect of $50 million or more as determined by the Office of Management and Budget, or to adversely affect one of the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 105):

The economy;

Jobs;

The environment; or

Public health or safety.

Authorizes an agency to take a “significant regulatory action” if the President determines by Executive Order that the action is any of the following (Sec. 103):

Necessary because of an imminent threat to health, safety, or another emergency;

Necessary for the enforcement of criminal or civil rights laws;

Necessary for the national security of the United States; or

Issued pursuant to any statute that implements an international trade agreement.

Authorizes the President to submit a request for a “significant regulatory action” to Congress for a waiver if the action is not eligible for a Presidential waiver (Sec. 103).

Prohibits an agency from proposing or finalizing a “midnight rule” that is likely to result in a fiscal effect of $50 million or more as determined by the Office of Management and Budget, or to adversely affect any of the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 202):

The economy;

Jobs;

The environment; or

Public health or safety.

Defines “midnight rule” as any agency statement issued during a specified period of time that is intended to have the force and effect of a law and is designed for one of the following reasons (Sec. 205):

To implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy; or

To describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency.

Exempts agencies from the provisions of this bill if a deadline for action meets the following criteria (Sec. 203):

Is for, relating to, or involving any “midnight rule”;

Is established before the beginning of the temporary prohibition on “significant regulatory action”; or

Is required to be taken during the temporary prohibition on “significant regulatory action.”